Engaging Graduate Students in the Online Learning Environment: A Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Approach to Teacher Preparation

Abstract

Today’s classroom is more diverse than ever; it is imperative that universities find solutions for meeting these diverse learning needs. One potential solution is Universal Design for Learning (UDL), which is a promising practice in the K-12 classroom. UDL is a framework for teaching and learning that is based on the idea that diversity among students is predictable and systematic adjustments to the curriculum should be made based on that predictability. While there is strong research supporting the use of UDL for traditional K-12 classrooms, there is little research regarding its implementation in the online university teacher preparation classroom. This action research study explores the use of UDL for increasing student engagement in the online Special Education teacher preparation courses for one university faculty member. The authors seek to better understand the use of UDL in the university setting by examining the impact of engagement strategies in online Special Education teacher preparation courses. Results of this action research, as well as implications for the authors, are discussed.